Galesburg Reporter

City of Knoxville City Council met July 15.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Call to Order: Mayor Maurer called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

All rose to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call: Present: Aldermen Eiker, Gruner, Hillier, Howard, Myers, Naslund; Mayor Maurer, Treasurer Bivens, Chief of Police Poyner, Attorney McCoy, Engineer Cooper, Water Superintendent Johnson, City Clerk Wilt. Absent: Alderman Benjamin. Also in attendance: Mr. Jared Poplett.

Public Comments: Mr. Jared Poplett, 214 S Market St, stated that he wanted to be considered for the open Second Ward Alderman seat. The Mayor will meet with him.

Approval of Minutes: Aldermen Gruner moved to approve the Minutes of the July 1, 2019 City Council Meeting as corrected; Alderman Eiker seconded the motion which passed by voice vote with no dissent.

GENERAL REPORTS

Attorney Report: No report.

Engineer Report: Engineer Cooper stated that his firm was working on renewing the sewer discharge permit, which is required every five years. The Illinois state gas tax was just increased and that should give the City approximately 68% more in Motor Fuel Tax allotments each month. The oil portion of the oil and chip project had to be bid out as it would cost over $25,000.00. Engineer Cooper recommended contracting with Asphalt Sales for $27,848.00 for oil for streets. Alderman Myers moved to accept the Asphalt Sales bid. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with six (6) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.

Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Bivens noted that her monthly report was available in the online Council packet.

City Clerk’s Report: No report.

Payment of City Bills: Alderman Hillier moved to approve payment of the City Bills; Alderman Gruner seconded the motion which passed with six (6) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.

Information Items: Mayor Maurer noted the monthly departmental operating reports were available in the online Council packet.

OLD BUSINESS

1. Employee Health Insurance: City Clerk Wilt reported that she and Dan Hiett from John Graham & Associates were still working on filling out the national Easy App, which will give additional health insurance options. Alderman Naslund moved to table the employee health care insurance discussion. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent.

2. City Hall Roof: Bids were received from Dowers Roofing to replace the roof, and from Armour Roofing to patch and repair the roof. As the current flat roof requires frequent repairs, Alderman Myers asked if a new roof could have a small peak to repel water. Treasurer Bivens said that this change may cause the building to be removed from the National Historic Registry. She will check on that. Alderman Myers moved to table the roof bid discussion. Alderman Gruner seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent.

3. Library Windows: Mayor Maurer presented bids from First Glass and Glass Specialty for replacing the block glass windows at the Library. While Glass Specialty had the lower bid, the bids differed by $74,926.06. This set of bids is similar in cost to bids received about one year ago. This job is projected to take 3-4 months. Mayor Maurer will contact Glass Specialty to make sure that all requested aspects of the project are covered in their bid. Alderman Hillier moved to accept the bid from Glass Specialty for $36,473.94. Alderman Naslund seconded the motion, which passed with six (6) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Motor Fuel Tax Oil Bids: See Engineer Report above.

2. Review Garbage Collection Rates: The Council reviewed a listing of monthly landfill and recycle billings for the past three years. As the charges continue to rise, Alderman Myers suggested that the sanitation rates for residents be raised $1.00 per month, from $10.00 to $11.00, as a first reading. The second reading of this proposed increase will occur at the August 5, 2019 meeting.

Mayor’s Report:

 The final drawing for the subdivision of the City-owned lot on Hebard and Ann Streets will be completed by the Engineer this week.

 The impounded motorcycle owned by the City was sold on June 25, 2019 for the high bid of $6,125.00.

 At the fireworks display on July 4, 2019, Council members collected $405.03, and $736.00 was collected at the fireworks trivia night on June 15, 2019. Alderman Myers will reach out to other communities to see how they fund their fireworks.

 The newspaper recently noted a consideration for countywide bus service. At the request of the Council, more information will be gathered.

 The community of Morton has opted out of recreational marijuana use and video gambling. Is Knoxville interested in doing the same thing? Zoning of cannabis-related businesses is not addressed in the current ordinance. Attorney McCoy suggested that it may be safer to outright not permit that type of business, if that is the desire of the Council.

 There will be a Public Hearing to consider the Appropriations Ordinance on Monday, July 22, 2019 at 7:00 pm, to be followed by a Special Council meeting to vote on the ordinance.

 The Action Team will meet on Wednesday, July 17, 2019 at 5:30 pm.

 The next Council meeting will be on Monday, August 5, 2019 at 7:00 pm.

 There will be a TIF Joint Board of Review meeting on Monday, August 5, 2019, at 6:15 pm, preceding the regular council meeting.

 The next Library Board meeting will be August 6, 2019 at 7:00 pm.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Administrative – Myers: The Henderson family is dedicating a rock outside of Newman School at James Knox Park on Wednesday July 17, 2019 at 6:00 pm. The public is invited.

Cemetery – Hillier: None.

Community & Economic Development – Benjamin: None.

Parks – Howard: None.

Police – Naslund: Part Time Police Officer Stan West retired July 1, 2019 after working 18 years. The Starcom radio upgrade is in process.

Sanitation: None.

Streets – Eiker: None.

Water/Sewer – Gruner: The Council was directed to the city website to view a monthly status report.

Adjourn: At about 7:52 PM, Alderman Hillier moved to Adjourn the Meeting; Alderman Eiker seconded the motion which passed by voice vote with no dissent.

http://kville.org/wp-content/uploads/minutes-agendas-newsletters/Minutes_2019-07-15.pdf